PRESS RELEASE

City welcomes arrival of Barcelona team

11th August 2003

The Mayor, Cllr Shaun Gallagher welcomed the arrival of the Barcelona Football Team and dignitaries to the city today, saying that the match between Derry City FC and Barcelona FC will be an outstanding international sporting event and occasion for the entire city. Mayor, Cllr Shaun Gallagher said:

“The Barcelona v Derry City match is bringing international talent to the city and it will be an unforgettable occasion for everyone. I know the team will receive a great welcome at the Brandywell on Tuesday evening. I look forward to meeting with the representatives from the Catalan region and members of the Board of Barcelona Football Club and I hope that this is the first of many opportunities to create links with this historic region.”

A delegation from Catalonia are accompanying the team. They include Anna Terron MEP, former Mayor of Barcelona Pasqualle Maragall and Jose Luis Carod Rovira. Ms Terron and colleagues have strong links with the Barcelona team and helped secure their visit following an invitation extended by local MP, MEP John Hume.

Representatives from Barcelona meeting with the Mayor, Cllr Shaun Gallagher during their visit to the city.

Anna Terron has also taken part in an international conference in the city during March 2003. The President and representatives from the Board of Directors of the Barcelona Football Club will also attend the match on Tuesday. Jim Roddy, Manager of Derry City Football Club said:

“On behalf of the team and all at Derry City Football Club I would like to extend a warm welcome to the Barcelona team. We are honoured to have them here. Furthermore, the management and board of Derry City FC acknowledges and fully appreciates the major contribution made by MEP, MP John Hume who was instrumental in securing the Barcelona team’s visit to and match with Derry City.”

Ends

Notes to Editor

Representatives of the Barcelona Delegation attending the match include:

• Juan LaPorta Estruch President of Barcelona Football Club
• Alfons Godall Board Member of Barcelona Football Club
• Juan Jose Castillo Public Relations Officer of Barcelona Football Club
• Javier Perez Farguell Ex-General Director of Barcelona Football Club
• Juan Josep Verge Board Member of Barcelona Football Club

Political representatives from Catalunya include, Pasquall Maragall, Jose Luis Carod Rovira and Anna Terron MEP for Barcelona.

To facilitate final preparation works at the Brandywell Sports Ground the Brandywell Amenity Site will be closed from 12 noon on Tuesday 12th August. The Council would ask that anyone wishing to use the dump on Tuesday afternoon would make their way to the other Council amenity sites at Rossdowney, Pennyburn, Claudy or Eglinton. The amenity site at the Brandywell will re-open on Wednesday 13th August 2003 at its usual time of 8.30am. Derry City Council apologises for any inconvenience caused.

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